As seen on BCTV Noon News February 3rd, 2004

BREAKFAST TO GO

No time for breakfast?  The most important meal of the day and you say you don’t have time?  No time for a meal that will jumpstart your metabolism and get you revved up for the day?  The fact is, you’re not alone.  Some people don’t like to eat right when they wake up and others just don’t seem to squeeze it in to their busy morning routine.  Well, if this New Year you resolved to try to eat breakfast on a daily basis here are some quick and delicious ideas just for you.

Egg sandwich – microwave an egg in a bowl of water (to get a poached egg) about 1.5 minutes.  Meanwhile toast a whole wheat English muffin, add a slice of cheese, a slice of tomato, your egg and go.
Really Quick Fix – Microwave scrambled egg in a mug and place on bread with ketchup

Breakfast shake – Blend your favorite combination of fruit, yogurt and juice for a delicious smoothie.  For a more substantial shake add ½ cup skim milk powder, ¼ cup almonds or 2 Tbsp peanut butter.  Quick Tip: Place all ingredients in blender the night before so you can simply blend and pour in the morning.
Really Quick Fix -  Slim Fast or Package of Carnation Instant Breakfast. 

Fruit and cheese – Slice up an apple and serve it with 1 ½ oz cheddar cheese cubes and ½ cup walnuts.  Quick Tip: Toss these in a container the night before and have it ready to take out the door.
Really quick fix: can’t get any quicker than that

Cottage cheese and fruit – top ½ -3/4 cup cottage cheese with sliced bananas, berries and melon.  Serve with a slice of whole grain rye toast if you are still hungry.  Quick Tip: use fruit salad from dinner the night before
Really Quick Fix: Use canned peaches with cottage cheese

Peanut butter waffle – toast a whole grain or high fibre waffle, spread with peanut butter and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and raisins.  Quick Tip: keep toasted sesame seeds in a container on hand to add protein and fibre to salads, fish and vegetables.
Really Quick Fix: skip the sesame seeds and raisins and have a glass of OJ

Tomato toasts – Toast 3 slices of a whole wheat baguette or crusty loaf, spread with low fat ricotta or goat cheese and sliced tomatoes.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper and a drizzle of flavoured olive oil if desired.  Quick Tip: Use leftover tomato salad on leftover bread from dinner the night before
Really Quick Fix: slice of leftover pizza from dinner (hopefully homemade)

Cereal and yogurt – ¾ cup bran flakes or another high fibre cereal, ¾ cup vanilla yogurt, ¼ cup berries or raisins.  Mix in a to go container and take it with you.  Quick tip:  Using yogurt instead of milk makes this breakfast portable.
Really Quick Fix: raisin bran in a mini box and a yogurt container

Egg wrap – Slice a hard boiled egg and add it to a slice of ham and cheese on an 8” whole wheat tortilla.  Heat in the microwave at work if desired.  Quick Tip: precook several hard cooked eggs for the week.
Really Quick Fix – Have these ingredients at the office already to go.

Muffin and milk – better than a doughnut and coffee.  Serve it with a glass of milk and a handful of almonds.  Quick Tip:  Try making a batch of muffins on the weekend and freeze them for the week..
Really Quick fix – Use a muffin mix and add your own nuts and fruit

Energy to Go – Try an energy bar that contains about 10g of protein such as kashi, Odwalla or GoLean and a yogurt tube

Get rid of the pop tarts, the jam filled Eggo waffles and the sugar cereal.  Avoid the donut shop on the way to work and the Tim Hortons fat filled muffins.  Start your day right with a healthy meal that leaves you feeling satisfied but not stuffed and provides you with energy that will last at least 2-3 hours.